By: Elena Macias
The pews were filled, the choir was ready, and the Knights of Columbus held their swords high in position to welcome in the six men who were to be ordained into the Permanent Diaconate on August 24 at Queen of Angels Church in Riverside. After Bishop Alberto Rojas performed the Rite of Ordination to the Order of the Diaconate, Vbecame ordained ministers of the Catholic Church, joining the generous community of deacons in the Diocese of San Bernardino.
“We come together again in this sacred space with joy, with gratitude in our hearts to almighty God to witness the generous response of these men who have heard the calling of God to serve the church of Jesus in this local diocese,” Bishop Rojas said. “We are very grateful to God for your generosity, brothers. We are very grateful to you as well, to your wives and to your families, for your desire to follow the way of Jesus in serving others.”
The Ordination began with the six men processing into the church arm-in-arm with their wives. Following them were an abundant number of current deacons also joined by their wives, followed by priests and finally by Bishop Emeritus Gerald Barnes and Bishop Rojas. The many deacons and their wives processing into the church displayed the support and solidarity of the diaconate community in the diocese.
After the homily, it was time for Bishop Rojas to perform the Rite of Ordination. During the Rite, the six men pledged their obedience to Bishop Rojas and his successors and laid prostrate on the floor as the choir sang the Litany of the Saints. When Bishop Rojas performed the Laying of Hands they became deacons. They then dressed in the vestments of a deacon and then were congratulated and embraced during the Kiss of Peace.
The Kiss of Peace is the beautiful final step of the Ordination where the newly ordained deacons are individually hugged and congratulated by the bishops, priests and deacons. The sea of deacons and their wives lined up to personally congratulate each newly ordained deacon and their wife. As current deacon’s wives hugged the newly ordained deacon’s wives, the abundance of pure joy radiated from their faces.
After the Kiss of Peace, the Mass proceeded as usual and, near the end, newly ordained Deacon Daba provided a word of thanks on behalf of his fellow deacons.
“On behalf of our entire class, I stand before you today with a heart overflowed with gratitude, humility and joy,” he said.
Deacon Daba continued by thanking God, Bishop Rojas, their formators, their wives, family, friends and parishioners of their home parishes for their help and support throughout their formation journey.
“Right now, the real journey begins for the six of us,” Deacon Daba said. “As we embark on this new chapter in our lives as deacons, with hearts full of gratitude and a firm commitment to serve the Church and its people as an example of Christ, we ask for your continued prayers as we strive to fulfill our responsibilities with humility, love and devotion.”
At the time of publication, the newly ordained deacons are assigned to serve in their home parishes. Deacon Alcazar will serve St. Charles Borromeo, Bloomington; Deacon Daba will serve St. Christopher Parish, Moreno Valley; Deacon Lucas will serve St. Matthew Church, Corona; Deacon Martinez will serve St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, Temecula; Deacon Reyes will serve St. Mel Parish, Norco and Deacon Rodriguez will serve Our Lady of Hope Catholic Community, San Bernardino.
Elena Macias is the Managing Editor of the Inland Catholic BYTE